Canada has ranked second last among 14 countries evaluated in an annual electric vehicle (EV) readiness index, which judges a country’s capacity to transition to EVs.
In spite of the Trudeau government’s aggressive green agenda, Canada pales in comparison to other industrialized nations when it comes to replacing fossil fuel-powered vehicles with electric alternatives.
According to Ernst & Young’s (EY) EV readiness index, Canadian demand for EVs trails the global average, with many Canadians feeling inhibited by the initially high cost of EVs and a lack of charging infrastructure.
An EY study published in June found that 46% of Canadians planning on buying a car would like to choose an EV, below the global average of 52% but above the U.S., whose purchase sentiment is under 30%.
Despite the American people’s lack of interest in EVs and EYs assertion that the country is “stuck in low gear,” Canada is outmatched in funding as the U.S. government is dumping tens of billions into the industry.
Nearly every country included in the index tops Canada on the readiness index, with the exception of India.
In 2021, nearly 1,700,000 vehicles were sold in Canada, with just under 67,000 of these sales being EVs.
The Trudeau government has promised that 20% of all vehicles sold in Canada by 2026 will be EVs. He hopes that by 2035, all vehicles sold will be electric and an internal combustion engine ban can take place.
Trudeau has announced multiple EV projects, including investments into a $1.5 billion EV battery plant and a half-billion-dollar investment into EV production alongside the Dutch corporation Stellantis.
Still, in the view of EY, other countries have been doing more to replace internal combustion engine vehicles and prepare for an expected boom in the EV market.
“Other countries in terms of their infrastructure and investments, policies and regulations, have added to a greater extent than Canada,” said Lance Mortlock of EY Canada.
EY suggests that if countries want to coerce their population into buying EVs, strong regulation by governments is required.
“If countries want to reduce their emissions from vehicles and help meet climate targets through a move to EVs, then it is clear that regulation is absolutely key,” says Randy Miller of EY Global.
Communist China was listed as the index’s number one performer in reaching an EV future, with Norway and Sweden trailing.
